The Record Special Sections Health Quarterly 07-28-2019

NORTHJERSEY.COM ❚ SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2019 ❚ 1
n Children’s Health:
Drinking plenty of water when engaged in physical activity, particularly in the sun
and heat, is necessary to avoid dehydration and the risk of heat exhaustion.
Pediatric Infectious
Diseases – Be
Aware and Take
Precautions
Stay Hydrated
Drinking Water Every Day Is
Essential for Healthy Body and Mind
n New
Technology
And Treatments:
Quality, Innovation
And Advanced
Patient Care
ADVERTISING
SUPPLEMENT TO
Health Quarterly
BY LESLIE PERLMUTTER
Special to Health Quarterly
T
JULY 28, 2019
his is going to be surprising to many,
but the old adage to drink eight
glasses of water a day for optimal
hydration and health is outdated.
In its literature, the American Council on
Exercise explains that water is one of the
most essential components of the human
body. Water regulates the body’s tempera-
ture, cushions and protects vital organs
and aids the digestive system. Water not
only composes 75 percent of all muscle
tissue and about 10 percent of fatty tissue,
but it also acts within each cell to transport
nutrients and dispel waste. Furthermore,
because water composes more than half of
the human body, it is impossible to sustain
life for more than a week without it.
Jenna Werner is an ambassador for the
American Heart Association and a regis-
tered dietician with her own nutrition coun-
seling practice, Happy, Slim Healthy. “The
8 glasses of water a day is a blanket state-
ment. The actual amount of water you need
a day is dependent upon age, gender, level
of activity and where you live. That being
said, experts say women actually need 2
1/2 to 3 liters of fluid a day and men need
3 1/2 liters per day; thus, women should
have approximately 11 glasses of water a
day and men should have about 15 glasses
a day.” The American Heart Association
(AHA) provides many resources emphasiz-
ing the importance of staying hydrated and
tips for staying active and healthy in warm
weather.
Werner virtually coaches her clients,
and the first goal is always to create a habit
around hydration. “In my years of experi-
ence, when we start focusing, we realize
how little we actually drink is pure water.”
Werner advises spreading water intake
throughout the day. “Don’t try to get ahead
of it,” she cautions. When exercising, “Drink
before, during and after. Also, early and
often. The goal is a consistent stream of
hydrating. The key to successful hydration
is to carry a water bottle at all times.”
See STAY HYDRATED Page 2